Filtering data entries on mobile electronic devices having auxiliary input devices

ABSTRACT

A method of filtering data entries on a mobile device includes displaying a list of data entries on a display device of the mobile device. An indication of one of the data entries of the list is received at one of an input device and an auxiliary input device. Highlighting the data entry in response to the indication is performed. At an auxiliary input device, a pause of the indication is received. A filter for data entries that match the value of a predetermined field of the highlighted data entry is then executed. Results of the filter are displayed on the display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/327,258, filed Apr. 23, 2010.

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to mobile electronic devices and, moreparticularly, to mobile electronic devices having auxiliary inputdevices.

BACKGROUND

Numerous types of mobile electronic devices are known. Examples of suchmobile electronic devices include, for instance, personal dataassistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellulartelephones, and the like. Other examples of mobile devices include thosewhose primary function is entertainment and multimedia contentreproduction, such as “mp3 players”. Many mobile electronic devices alsofeature wireless communication capability, although many such mobileelectronic devices are stand-alone devices that are functional withoutcommunication with other devices.

A user of a mobile electronic device may wish to view a list of dataitems that share a certain data value. Often the user will have tonavigate the graphical interface to specify search parameters. The userwill specify parameters for the search, and activate a component of thegraphic interface to prompt the electronic device to filter for thecontent using the specified parameters. Specifying filter parameters ina separate screen can be cumbersome, often requiring multiple actionsfrom the user to perform such filtering. Since lists of data may havevalues that are not fully displayed on a confined display, the user maynot always be able to view the data values of the data list when viewinga separate filter parameter screen. The user may not know the full valueof the data items of the highlighted field. Navigating to a separatescreen to determine the full value of a data item can be time consumingand cumbersome.

Some mobile electronic devices are controlled through a touch-sensitivedisplay, also known as a touchscreen display. In response to a touchinput, the mobile device can carry out an action such as filtering alist of messages. However, in devices having touch-sensitive displayssometimes it is undesirable or impractical to use the touch-sensitivedisplay when interacting with the device. For example, touch-sensitivedisplays receive input by tracking the user's finger. As a result offrequently touching the display, the display may require frequentcleaning. As another example, a mobile device having a touch-sensitivedisplay may implement a virtual keyboard interface on a touch-sensitivedisplay. Some users may prefer a physical keyboard over the virtualkeyboard because of the physical distinctions between keys and thetactile feel of the physical keyboard. Some users may prefer mobiledevices with a physical keyboard over a device with a touch-sensitivedisplay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various embodiments described hereinand to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, referencewill now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawingswhich show at least one example embodiment and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a mobile device;

FIG. 2 is an example of a mobile device having an optical track padauxiliary input device;

FIG. 3 is an example of a mobile device having a trackball auxiliaryinput device;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative graphical interface on a mobile electronicdevice in which a list of messages is displayed and a particular entryin the list is highlighted;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative graphical interface on a mobile electronicdevice in which a menu is displayed presenting options to filter thedisplayed list of messages of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative graphical interface on a mobile electronicdevice in which the list of messages of FIG. 4 has been filtered;

FIG. 7A is an illustrative graphical interface on the mobile electronicdevice in which a list of contacts is displayed;

FIG. 7B is an illustrative graphical interface in which a menu isdisplayed presenting an option to filter the displayed list of contacts;

FIG. 7C is an illustrative graphical interface in which the list ofcontacts from FIG. 7A has been filtered;

FIG. 8A is an illustrative graphical interface on the mobile electronicdevice in which a list of music tracks is displayed;

FIG. 8B is an illustrative graphical interface in which a menu isdisplayed presenting an option to filter the displayed list of musictracks;

FIG. 8C is an illustrative graphical interface in which the list ofmusic tracks from FIG. 8A has been filtered;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating components of a host system inone example configuration for use with a mobile electronic device ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a method offiltering data entries.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated amongthe figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures andcomponents have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to beconsidered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

The embodiments described herein generally relate to a mobile wirelesscommunication device, hereafter referred to as a mobile device. Examplesof applicable communication devices include pagers, cellular phones,cellular smart-phones, wireless organizers, personal digital assistants,computers, laptops, mobile wireless communication devices, wirelesslyenabled notebook computers and the like.

The mobile device is a two-way communication device with advanced datacommunication capabilities including the capability to communicate withother mobile devices or computer systems through a network oftransceiver stations. The mobile device may also have the capability toallow voice communication. Depending on the functionality provided bythe mobile device, it may be referred to as a data messaging device, atwo-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, awireless Internet appliance, or a data communication device (with orwithout telephony capabilities). To aid the reader in understanding thestructure of the mobile device, reference will now be made to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, shown therein is a block diagram of an exampleembodiment of a mobile device 100. The mobile device 100 includes anumber of components such as a main processor 102 that controls theoverall operation of the mobile device 100. Communication functions,including data and voice communications, are performed through acommunication subsystem 104. The communication subsystem 104 receivesmessages from and sends messages to a wireless network 200. In thisexample embodiment of the mobile device 100, the communication subsystem104 is configured in accordance with the Global System for MobileCommunication (GSM) and General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) standards.The GSM/GPRS wireless network is used worldwide and it is expected thatthese standards will be superseded eventually by Enhanced Data GSMEnvironment (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service(UMTS). New standards are still being defined, but it is believed thatthey will have similarities to the network behavior described herein,and it will also be understood by persons skilled in the art that theembodiments described herein are intended to use any other suitablestandards that are developed in the future. The wireless link connectingthe communication subsystem 104 with the wireless network 200 representsone or more different Radio Frequency (RF) channels, operating accordingto defined protocols specified for GSM/GPRS communications. With newernetwork protocols, these channels are capable of supporting both circuitswitched voice communications and packet switched data communications.

Although the wireless network 200 associated with mobile device 100 is aGSM/GPRS wireless network in one example embodiment, other wirelessnetworks may also be associated with the mobile device 100 in variantembodiments. The different types of wireless networks that may beemployed include, for example, data-centric wireless networks,voice-centric wireless networks, and dual-mode networks that can supportboth voice and data communications over the same physical base stations.Combined dual-mode networks include, but are not limited to, CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA) or CDMA2000 networks, GSM/GPRS networks(as mentioned above), and future third-generation (3G) networks likeEDGE and UMTS. Some other examples of data-centric networks include WiFi802.11, Mobitex™ and DataTAC™ network communication systems. Examples ofother voice-centric data networks include Personal Communication Systems(PCS) networks like GSM and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)systems.

The main processor 102 also interacts with additional subsystems such asa Random Access Memory (RAM) 106, a flash memory 108, a display 110, anauxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 112, a data port 114, a keyboard116, a speaker 118, a microphone 120, short-range communications 122 andother device subsystems 124.

Some of the subsystems of the mobile device 100 performcommunication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide“resident” or on-device functions. By way of example, the display 110and the keyboard 116 may be used for both communication-relatedfunctions, such as entering a text message for transmission over thenetwork 200, and device-resident functions such as a calculator or tasklist.

The mobile device 100 can send and receive communication signals overthe wireless network 200 after required network registration oractivation procedures have been completed. Network access is associatedwith a subscriber or user of the mobile device 100. To identify asubscriber, the mobile device 100 requires a SIM/RUIM card 126 (i.e.Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module) to beinserted into a SIM/RUIM interface 128 in order to communicate with anetwork. The SIM card or RUIM 126 is one type of a conventional “smartcard” that can be used to identify a subscriber of the mobile device 100and to personalize the mobile device 100, among other things. Withoutthe SIM card 126, the mobile device 100 is not fully operational forcommunication with the wireless network 200. By inserting the SIMcard/RUIM 126 into the SIM/RUIM interface 128, a subscriber can accessall subscribed services. Services may include: web browsing andmessaging such as e-mail, voice mail, Short Message Service (SMS), andMultimedia Messaging Services (MMS). More advanced services may include:point of sale, field service and sales force automation. The SIMcard/RUIM 126 includes a processor and memory for storing information.Once the SIM card/RUIM 126 is inserted into the SIM/RUIM interface 128,it is coupled to the main processor 102. In order to identify thesubscriber, the SIM card/RUIM 126 can include some user parameters suchas an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). An advantage ofusing the SIM card/RUIM 126 is that a subscriber is not necessarilybound by any single physical mobile device. The SIM card/RUIM 126 maystore additional subscriber information for a mobile device as well,including datebook (or calendar) information and recent callinformation. Alternatively, user identification information can also beprogrammed into the flash memory 108.

The mobile device 100 is a battery-powered device and includes a batteryinterface 132 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 130. Inat least some embodiments, the battery 130 can be a smart battery withan embedded microprocessor. The battery interface 132 is coupled to aregulator (not shown), which assists the battery 130 in providing powerV+ to the mobile device 100. Although current technology makes use of abattery, future technologies such as micro fuel cells may provide thepower to the mobile device 100.

The mobile device 100 also includes an operating system 134 and softwarecomponents 136 to 146 which are described in more detail below. Theoperating system 134 and the software components 136 to 146 that areexecuted by the main processor 102 are typically stored in a persistentstore such as the flash memory 108, which may alternatively be aread-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that portions of the operating system134 and the software components 136 to 146, such as specific deviceapplications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into avolatile store such as the RAM 106. Other software components can alsobe included, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

The subset of software applications 136 that control basic deviceoperations, including data and voice communication applications, willnormally be installed on the mobile device 100 during its manufacture.Other software applications include a message application 138 that canbe any suitable software program that allows a user of the mobile device100 to send and receive electronic messages. Various alternatives existfor the message application 138 as is well known to those skilled in theart. Messages that have been sent or received by the user are typicallystored in the flash memory 108 of the mobile device 100 or some othersuitable storage element in the mobile device 100. In at least someembodiments, some of the sent and received messages may be storedremotely from the device 100 such as in a data store of an associatedhost system that the mobile device 100 communicates with.

The software applications can further include a device state module 140,a Personal Information Manager (PIM) 142, and other suitable modules(not shown). The device state module 140 provides persistence, i.e. thedevice state module 140 ensures that important device data is stored inpersistent memory, such as the flash memory 108, so that the data is notlost when the mobile device 100 is turned off or loses power.

The PIM 142 includes functionality for organizing and managing dataitems of interest to the user, such as, but not limited to, e-mail,contacts, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. APIM application has the ability to send and receive data items via thewireless network 200. PIM data items may be seamlessly integrated,synchronized, and updated via the wireless network 200 with the mobiledevice subscriber's corresponding data items stored and/or associatedwith a host computer system. This functionality creates a mirrored hostcomputer on the mobile device 100 with respect to such items. This canbe particularly advantageous when the host computer system is the mobiledevice subscriber's office computer system.

The mobile device 100 also includes a connect module 144, and an ITpolicy module 146. The connect module 144 implements the communicationprotocols that are required for the mobile device 100 to communicatewith the wireless infrastructure and any host system, such as anenterprise system, that the mobile device 100 is authorized to interfacewith. Examples of a wireless infrastructure and an enterprise system aregiven in FIGS. 3 and 4, which are described in more detail below.

The connect module 144 includes a set of APIs that can be integratedwith the mobile device 100 to allow the mobile device 100 to use anynumber of services associated with the enterprise system. The connectmodule 144 allows the mobile device 100 to establish an end-to-endsecure, authenticated communication pipe with the host system. A subsetof applications for which access is provided by the connect module 144can be used to pass IT policy commands from the host system to themobile device 100. This can be done in a wireless or wired manner. Theseinstructions can then be passed to the IT policy module 146 to modifythe configuration of the device 100. Alternatively, in some cases, theIT policy update can also be done over a wired connection.

The IT policy module 146 receives IT policy data that encodes the ITpolicy. The IT policy module 146 then ensures that the IT policy data isauthenticated by the mobile device 100. The IT policy data can then bestored in the flash memory 106 in its native form. After the IT policydata is stored, a global notification can be sent by the IT policymodule 146 to all of the applications residing on the mobile device 100.Applications for which the IT policy may be applicable then respond byreading the IT policy data to look for IT policy rules that areapplicable.

The IT policy module 146 can include a parser (not shown), which can beused by the applications to read the IT policy rules. In some cases,another module or application can provide the parser. Grouped IT policyrules, described in more detail below, are retrieved as byte streams,which are then sent (recursively, in a sense) into the parser todetermine the values of each IT policy rule defined within the groupedIT policy rule. In at least some embodiments, the IT policy module 146can determine which applications are affected by the IT policy data andsend a notification to only those applications. In either of thesecases, for applications that aren't running at the time of thenotification, the applications can call the parser or the IT policymodule 146 when they are executed to determine if there are any relevantIT policy rules in the newly received IT policy data.

All applications that support rules in the IT Policy are coded to knowthe type of data to expect. For example, the value that is set for the“WEP User Name” IT policy rule is known to be a string; therefore thevalue in the IT policy data that corresponds to this rule is interpretedas a string. As another example, the setting for the “Set MaximumPassword Attempts” IT policy rule is known to be an integer, andtherefore the value in the IT policy data that corresponds to this ruleis interpreted as such.

After the IT policy rules have been applied to the applicableapplications or configuration files, the IT policy module 146 sends anacknowledgement back to the host system to indicate that the IT policydata was received and successfully applied.

Other types of software applications can also be installed on the mobiledevice 100. These software applications can be third party applications,which are added after the manufacture of the mobile device 100. Examplesof third party applications include games, calculators, utilities, etc.

The additional applications can be loaded onto the mobile device 100through at least one of the wireless network 200, the auxiliary I/Osubsystem 112, the data port 114, the short-range communicationssubsystem 122, or any other suitable device subsystem 124. Thisflexibility in application installation increases the functionality ofthe mobile device 100 and may provide enhanced on-device functions,communication-related functions, or both. For example, securecommunication applications may enable electronic commerce functions andother such financial transactions to be performed using the mobiledevice 100.

The data port 114 enables a subscriber to set preferences through anexternal device or software application and extends the capabilities ofthe mobile device 100 by providing for information or software downloadsto the mobile device 100 other than through a wireless communicationnetwork. The alternate download path may, for example, be used to loadan encryption key onto the mobile device 100 through a direct and thusreliable and trusted connection to provide secure device communication.

The data port 114 can be any suitable port that enables datacommunication between the mobile device 100 and another computingdevice. The data port 114 can be a serial or a parallel port. In someinstances, the data port 114 can be a USB port that includes data linesfor data transfer and a supply line that can provide a charging currentto charge the battery 130 of the mobile device 100.

The short-range communications subsystem 122 provides for communicationbetween the mobile device 100 and different systems or devices, withoutthe use of the wireless network 200. For example, the subsystem 122 mayinclude an infrared device and associated circuits and components forshort-range communication. Examples of short-range communicationstandards include standards developed by the Infrared Data Association(IrDA), Bluetooth, and the 802.11 family of standards developed by IEEE.

In use, a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, orweb page download will be processed by the communication subsystem 104and input to the main processor 102. The main processor 102 will thenprocess the received signal for output to the display 110 oralternatively to the auxiliary I/O subsystem 112. A subscriber may alsocompose data items, such as e-mail messages, for example, using thekeyboard 116 in conjunction with the display 110 and possibly theauxiliary I/O subsystem 112. The auxiliary subsystem 112 may includedevices such as: an optical track pad, mouse, track ball, infraredfingerprint detector, a roller wheel with dynamic button pressingcapability, a mechanical keyboard having touch-sensitive capability, orsimilar device capable of responding to input from a user's finger or astylus. The keyboard 116 is preferably an alphanumeric keyboard and/ortelephone-type keypad. However, other types of keyboards may also beused. A composed item may be transmitted over the wireless network 200through the communication subsystem 104.

For voice communications, the overall operation of the mobile device 100is substantially similar, except that the received signals are output tothe speaker 118, and signals for transmission are generated by themicrophone 120. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as avoice message recording subsystem, can also be implemented on the mobiledevice 100. Although voice or audio signal output is accomplishedprimarily through the speaker 118, the display 110 can also be used toprovide additional information such as the identity of a calling party,duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information.

FIGS. 2 and 3 provide examples of auxiliary input devices discussedabove. Auxiliary input devices provide input signals to the mainprocessor 102 of FIG. 1. Auxiliary input devices may provide variousinput signals, including but not necessarily limited to directionalmovement, unmoving presence of a finger or other navigational aid suchas a stylus, a tap input, as well as inputs of “down click” uponpressing the auxiliary input device, and “up click” upon releasing theauxiliary input device.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example diagram of a mobile device 400comprising an optical trackpad auxiliary input device 404, a displaydevice 402 and a primary input device 406. In the instance of an opticaltrackpad auxiliary input device 404, input member features alight-transmissive (transparent or translucent) fixed domed lens and alight source to illuminate a user's finger and a sensor to capture thefinger's instructive movement as the user slides his finger over thefixed domed lens in a manner similar to using a conventional trackball(in which rotation of a ball causes roller sensors to rotate). While thedescription as provided herein refers to a user's finger, thedescription equally applies to other way in which a user could actuatethe domed member including through the use of a thumb or other digit. Inanother embodiment, the optical trackpad auxiliary input device 404features a light-transmissive ball that the user actually rotates in amanner somewhat more similar to using a conventional trackball, but theoptical trackpad auxiliary input device 404 still features opticallybased sensing devices to measure rotation of the ball. In other words,in both embodiments, optical rather than mechanical means are used tomeasure movement of the user's finger and translate that movement into anavigational command to the mobile device 400. The optically baseddevice can be implemented using various forms of light including but notlimited to visible light, infrared light, laser, and the like. Theoptical trackpad auxiliary input device 321 is further configured suchthat an entry command (for example, selection of a graphical userinterface icon, a highlighted menu item, and the like) is entered bydepressing the optically based user input device.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another example diagram of a mobile device 500comprising a trackball auxiliary input device 504, a display device 502and a primary input device 506. In the instance of a trackball auxiliaryinput device, paired sensors may be located about the trackball forsensing rotational motion of the trackball which is representative ofthe desired direction the user would like the cursor to move on thescreen. The trackball itself is capable of free rotation within itsreceiving socket which gives the user an impression that he or she candirect cursor motion on the screen in any direction desired within thearea of the display screen. One embodiment provides the navigationaltool in the form of a trackball which is easily utilized to instructtwo-dimensional screen cursor movement in substantially any direction,as well as act as an actuator when the ball of the trackball isdepressible like a button.

In one embodiment, an auxiliary input device generates input for theprocessor as a user's thumb or finger passes over the surface of saidauxiliary input device. When the finger ceases to move, the opticalauxiliary input device maintains an input signal to the processor.Ceasing of movement while maintaining presence is one example of a pausein navigation, an indication that the user is operating the electronicdevice but is not desiring change in navigation of the user interface.The pause input is separate and distinct from receiving no input fromthe auxiliary input device.

In one embodiment, a timer may be configured to track the navigation,and can be used to differentiate between directional navigation and apause in navigation. The timer may be configured with a threshold todetect such a pause. For example, the duration of cessation of movementat the auxiliary input device can be compared with a threshold of 1second.

When the duration of cessation of movement exceeds 1 second, a pause innavigation is determined to have occurred. Other examples of thresholdvalues include 1.5 seconds, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, and any other valuethat allows the user to provide a separate and distinct pause input.Moreover, the threshold may be configurable by the user.

Another example of a pause in navigation can alternatively be anextended click input, detected using an auxiliary input device that isconfigured to provide one signal to the processor upon being depressed,and a different signal to the processor upon being released. In oneembodiment, the extended click can be used to detect a pause innavigation, without relying on detection of presence.

As discussed above, data may be stored in the mobile device 100 of FIG.1 in the flash memory 108 or RAM 104. Some data may be user applicationdata, such as messages, contacts, calendar, or multimedia data such asaudio, video. Some mobile electronic devices facilitate interaction witha user through a graphical user interface presented upon the display110. In order to present data to a user in a meaningful way, it is oftennecessary for the mobile electronic device to present the data in anorganized fashion. One common form of organizing data is to present thedata in an ordered or unordered list. Often when a significant amount ofdata is presented to the user, the list of data may not fit on thedisplay, and the user will have to scroll the graphical interface inorder to view data that is not currently displayed on the display 110.Frequently, a list format provides a convenient method of presentinginformation. In a list format, a list of rows or partial rows of adatabase are displayed as data items, wherein the list may display thevalue or a partial value of one or more fields of each data item. Eachentry in the list may represent a distinct data item. Each field of adata item will have a value.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative graphical interface on a mobile electronicdevice in which a message list 600 is displayed in a graphicalinterface. Each individual message 630 may be a distinct data item inthe list. In FIG. 4, the data fields displayed include the sender field631 and the message subject 632. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat other data fields, such as message recipient 633 may be displayed,particularly in instances when such a message 630 originated from themessaging account associated with the mobile device. One skilled in theart will appreciate that some of the fields of the data items, such asthe message body in the example of FIG. 4, are not necessarily displayedwhen multiple data items are displayed in a list. One skilled in the artwill also appreciate that other fields of the data items, such as themessage subject in the example of FIG. 4, may not necessarily bedisplayed in full, but only part of the data value is displayed in thegraphical interface. One skilled in the art will also appreciate thatonly a subset of a data list may be presented on a display, and that thedata items appearing on the display may be a subset of the data items ina particular database.

The user may navigate using the auxiliary input device 112 to highlighta specific message 620 in the list of messages (as indicated by a dashedline). As described above, a pause in navigation may be detected when aspecific item in the list has been highlighted.

Upon detecting the pause in navigation as described above, the processormay perform a filter of the message list 600 based upon the value of aparticular field in the highlighted item. For example, the message listmay be filtered on a value of the name of the sender, the name of therecipient, or the subject of the message, as examples. In an embodimentwhere the processor is configured to provide only one option forfiltering the list, a menu need not be displayed as the pause hasprovided an unambiguous input. In one example, a mobile device may havea cursor which may be positioned over individual fields in the graphicalinterface displaying the data items of the message list. In thisembodiment the processor can determine that the field highlighted is thefield upon which the data list should be filtered, and the value of thatfield in the highlighted data item is the value which the filtered dataitems ought to match.

If the processor is configured to filter on one of several data fields,a menu may be presented to the user when the pause in navigation isdetected. As described above, a user may navigate a message list 600 andhighlight a selected message 620. FIG. 5 provides an example where theprocessor, upon receiving the pause input, may configure the display toshow a menu 640 displaying the options for filtering the message list bysender name 641 or message subject 642. One skilled in the art willappreciate that the recipient name or another data field of a messagecan be presented to the user as options for filtering the message list600. These field names are provided as examples only and are not meantto be limiting. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any datafield of a data item can be used to filter the list, and the menuoptions need not be limited to only those data fields that are displayedin the message list 600. One skilled in the art will appreciate that asan alternative to the name of the data field, the value of the datafield or a combination of the name of the data field and the value ofthe data field can be displayed to the user in the menu 640.

The previous paragraphs describe examples of how the processor maydetermine the field upon which to filter a message list 600, and thevalue of the field that each data item in the result set ought to match.The filtering of the list can be performed in many ways. The entirevalue of the highlighted field may be fully matched in said field in theresulting data items. For example, a processor may be configured tomatch messages in which the sender field 631 contains the value “JohnHenry”, in which the messages in the message list 600 with the value“Johnny” or “John Doe” may be excluded from the filtered result. Inanother method of filtering, the value of the highlighted field may bepartially matched. If the processor filters a message list to match themessage subject “Re: Re: Tasks”, the processor can be configured tofilter messages in which the message subject of each message containsthe string “tasks”.

Once the processor has determined the field upon which to filter themessage list 600, and the value of the data field upon which to filtermessages, the processor will typically perform the filtering of themessage list and determine a filtered result set of data items. Theprocessor will typically present the filtered list on the display of themobile electronic device in a filtered results list 601 of the graphicalinterface. FIG. 6 is an example embodiment of the filtered message listof FIG. 4, when the message list has been filtered based upon the senderor recipient having the name “John Henry”.

One skilled in the art will recognize that similar filtering can beimplemented upon the detection of a pause in navigation in otherapplications in which data is presented to the user in the form of alist.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are an example embodiment in which a list ofcontacts is filtered based upon company name of the highlighted contact645. In FIG. 7A, a contact item 643 is displayed in a contacts list 602.Each contact item 643 contains data values for contact name 646 andcontact company name 647. One skilled in the art will recognize thatother data items may also be displayed in the contact list. Ahighlighted contact item 645 may provide the data item containing thedata values upon which the processor will filter the contacts list. FIG.7B provides an example of a menu 640 that may be displayed in thegraphical interface, prompting a filter based on a data field or dataitem of the highlighted contact item 645. One skilled in the art willappreciate that in the case where only one option is provided in themenu 640, the processor may be configured to filter the list of dataitems directly without displaying the prompt in the graphical interface.FIG. 7C provides an example of a filtered results list 603 in which theprocessor configures the display to show the filtered results of thecontacts list 602 with data items matching the data value of thehighlighted contact item 645.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C provide example embodiment in which a list of musictracks is filtered based upon album name of the highlighted music track655. In FIG. 8A, a music track item 650 is displayed in a music tracklist 604. Each music track item 650 contains data values for music trackartist 651 and music track album 652. One skilled in the art willrecognize that other data items may also be displayed in the music tracklist. A highlighted music track item 655 may provide the data itemcontaining the data values upon which the processor will filter thecontacts list. FIG. 8B provides an example of a menu 640 that may bedisplayed in the graphical interface, prompting a filter based on a datafield or data item of the highlighted music track item 655. FIG. 8Cprovides an example of a filtered results list 605 in which theprocessor configures the display to show the filtered results of themusic track list 604 with data items matching the data value of thehighlighted music track item 655.

Referring now to FIG. 9, shown therein is a block diagram illustratingcomponents of an example configuration of a host system 250 that themobile device 100 can communicate with in conjunction with the connectmodule 144. The host system 250 will typically be a corporate enterpriseor other local area network (LAN), but may also be a home officecomputer or some other private system, for example, in variantembodiments. In this example shown in FIG. 9, the host system 250 isdepicted as a LAN of an organization to which a user of the mobiledevice 100 belongs. Typically, a plurality of mobile devices cancommunicate wirelessly with the host system 250 through one or morenodes 202 of the wireless network 200.

The host system 250 comprises a number of network components connectedto each other by a network 260. For instance, a user's desktop computer262 a with an accompanying cradle 264 for the user's mobile device 100is situated on a LAN connection. The cradle 264 for the mobile device100 can be coupled to the computer 262 a by a serial or a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) connection, for example. Other user computers 262 b-262n are also situated on the network 260, and each may or may not beequipped with an accompanying cradle 264. The cradle 264 facilitates theloading of information (e.g. PIM data, private symmetric encryption keysto facilitate secure communications) from the user computer 262 a to themobile device 100, and may be particularly useful for bulk informationupdates often performed in initializing the mobile device 100 for use.The information downloaded to the mobile device 100 may includecertificates used in the exchange of messages.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the usercomputers 262 a-262 n will typically also be connected to otherperipheral devices, such as printers, etc. which are not explicitlyshown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, only a subset of network components of thehost system 250 are shown in FIG. 9 for ease of exposition, and it willbe understood by persons skilled in the art that the host system 250will comprise additional components that are not explicitly shown inFIG. 9 for this example configuration. More generally, the host system250 may represent a smaller part of a larger network (not shown) of theorganization, and may comprise different components and/or be arrangedin different topologies than that shown in the example embodiment ofFIG. 9.

To facilitate the operation of the mobile device 100 and the wirelesscommunication of messages and message-related data between the mobiledevice 100 and components of the host system 250, a number of wirelesscommunication support components 270 can be provided. In someembodiments, the wireless communication support components 270 caninclude a message management server 272, a mobile data server 274, acontact server 276, and a device manager module 278. The device managermodule 278 includes an IT Policy editor 280 and an IT user propertyeditor 282, as well as other software components for allowing an ITadministrator to configure the mobile devices 100. In an alternativeembodiment, there may be one editor that provides the functionality ofboth the IT policy editor 280 and the IT user property editor 282. Thesupport components 270 also include a data store 284, and an IT policyserver 286. The IT policy server 286 includes a processor 288, a networkinterface 290 and a memory unit 292. The processor 288 controls theoperation of the IT policy server 286 and executes functions related tothe standardized IT policy as described below. The network interface 290allows the IT policy server 286 to communicate with the variouscomponents of the host system 250 and the mobile devices 100. The memoryunit 292 can store functions used in implementing the IT policy as wellas related data. Those skilled in the art know how to implement thesevarious components. Other components may also be included as is wellknown to those skilled in the art. Further, in some embodiments, thedata store 284 can be part of any one of the servers.

In this example embodiment, the mobile device 100 communicates with thehost system 250 through node 202 of the wireless network 200 and ashared network infrastructure 224 such as a service provider network orthe public Internet. Access to the host system 250 may be providedthrough one or more routers (not shown), and computing devices of thehost system 250 may operate from behind a firewall or proxy server 266.The proxy server 266 provides a secure node and a wireless internetgateway for the host system 250. The proxy server 266 intelligentlyroutes data to the correct destination server within the host system250.

In some embodiments, the host system 250 can include a wireless VPNrouter (not shown) to facilitate data exchange between the host system250 and the mobile device 100. The wireless VPN router allows a VPNconnection to be established directly through a specific wirelessnetwork to the mobile device 100. The wireless VPN router can be usedwith the Internet Protocol (IP) Version 6 (IPV6) and IP-based wirelessnetworks. This protocol can provide enough IP addresses so that eachmobile device has a dedicated IP address, making it possible to pushinformation to a mobile device at any time. An advantage of using awireless VPN router is that it can be an off-the-shelf VPN component,and does not require a separate wireless gateway and separate wirelessinfrastructure. A VPN connection can preferably be a TransmissionControl Protocol (TCP)/IP or User Datagram Protocol (UDP)/IP connectionfor delivering the messages directly to the mobile device 100 in thisalternative embodiment.

Messages intended for a user of the mobile device 100 are initiallyreceived by a message server 268 of the host system 250. Such messagesmay originate from any number of sources. For instance, a message mayhave been sent by a sender from the computer 262 b within the hostsystem 250, from a different mobile device (not shown) connected to thewireless network 200 or a different wireless network, or from adifferent computing device, or other device capable of sending messages,via the shared network infrastructure 224, possibly through anapplication service provider (ASP) or Internet service provider (ISP),for example.

The message server 268 typically acts as the primary interface for theexchange of messages, particularly e-mail messages, within theorganization and over the shared network infrastructure 224. Each userin the organization that has been set up to send and receive messages istypically associated with a user account managed by the message server268. Some example embodiments of the message server 268 include aMicrosoft Exchange™ server, a Lotus Domino™ server, a Novell Groupwise™server, or another suitable mail server installed in a corporateenvironment. In some embodiments, the host system 250 may comprisemultiple message servers 268. The message server 268 may also be adaptedto provide additional functions beyond message management, including themanagement of data associated with calendars and task lists, forexample.

When messages are received by the message server 268, they are typicallystored in a message data store 269 associated with the message server268. In at least some embodiments, the message data store 269 may be aseparate hardware unit that the message server 268 communicates with.Messages can be subsequently retrieved and delivered to users byaccessing the message server 268. For instance, an e-mail clientapplication operating on a user's computer 262 a may request the e-mailmessages associated with that user's account stored on the message datastore 269 associated with the message server 268. These messages arethen retrieved from the message data store 269 and stored locally on thecomputer 262 a. The message data store 269 associated with the messageserver 268 can store copies of each message that is locally stored onthe mobile device 100. Alternatively, the data store associated with themessage server 268 can store all of the messages for the user of themobile device 100 and only a smaller number of messages can be stored onthe mobile device 100 to conserve memory. For instance, the most recentmessages (i.e. those received in the past two to three months forexample) can be stored on the mobile device 100.

When operating the mobile device 100, the user may wish to have e-mailmessages retrieved for delivery to the mobile device 100. The messageapplication 138 operating on the mobile device 100 may also requestmessages associated with the user's account from the message server 268.The message application 138 may be configured (either by the user or byan administrator, possibly in accordance with an organization'sinformation technology (IT) policy) to make this request at thedirection of the user, at some pre-defined time interval, or upon theoccurrence of some pre-defined event. In some embodiments, the mobiledevice 100 is assigned its own e-mail address, and messages addressedspecifically to the mobile device 100 are automatically redirected tothe mobile device 100 as they are received by the message server 268.

The message management server 272 can be used to specifically providesupport for the management of messages, such as e-mail messages, thatare to be handled by mobile devices. Generally, while messages are stillstored on the message server 268, the message management server 272 canbe used to control when, if, and how messages are sent to the mobiledevice 100. The message management server 272 also facilitates thehandling of messages composed on the mobile device 100, which are sentto the message server 268 for subsequent delivery.

For example, the message management server 272 may monitor the user's“mailbox” (e.g. the message store associated with the user's account onthe message server 268) for new e-mail messages, and applyuser-definable filters to new messages to determine if and how themessages are relayed to the user's mobile device 100. The messagemanagement server 272 may also compress and encrypt new messages (e.g.using an encryption technique such as Data Encryption Standard (DES),Triple DES, or Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)) and push them to themobile device 100 via the shared network infrastructure 224 and thewireless network 200. The message management server 272 may also receivemessages composed on the mobile device 100 (e.g. encrypted using TripleDES), decrypt and decompress the composed messages, re-format thecomposed messages if desired so that they will appear to have originatedfrom the user's computer 262 a, and re-route the composed messages tothe message server 268 for delivery.

Certain properties or restrictions associated with messages that are tobe sent from and/or received by the mobile device 100 can be defined(e.g. by an administrator in accordance with IT policy) and enforced bythe message management server 272. These may include whether the mobiledevice 100 may receive encrypted and/or signed messages, minimumencryption key sizes, whether outgoing messages must be encrypted and/orsigned, and whether copies of all secure messages sent from the mobiledevice 100 are to be sent to a pre-defined copy address, for example.

The message management server 272 may also be adapted to provide othercontrol functions, such as only pushing certain message information orpre-defined portions (e.g. “blocks”) of a message stored on the messageserver 268 to the mobile device 100. For example, in some cases, when amessage is initially retrieved by the mobile device 100 from the messageserver 268, the message management server 272 may push only the firstpart of a message to the mobile device 100, with the part being of apre-defined size (e.g. 2 KB). The user can then request that more of themessage be delivered in similar-sized blocks by the message managementserver 272 to the mobile device 100, possibly up to a maximumpre-defined message size. Accordingly, the message management server 272facilitates better control over the type of data and the amount of datathat is communicated to the mobile device 100, and can help to minimizepotential waste of bandwidth or other resources.

The mobile data server 274 encompasses any other server that storesinformation that is relevant to the corporation. The mobile data server274 may include, but is not limited to, databases, online data documentrepositories, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, orenterprise resource planning (ERP) applications.

The contact server 276 can provide information for a list of contactsfor the user in a similar fashion as the address book on the mobiledevice 100. Accordingly, for a given contact, the contact server 276 caninclude the name, phone number, work address and e-mail address of thecontact, among other information. The contact server 276 can alsoprovide a global address list that contains the contact information forall of the contacts associated with the host system 250.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the messagemanagement server 272, the mobile data server 274, the contact server276, the device manager module 278, the data store 284 and the IT policyserver 286 do not need to be implemented on separate physical serverswithin the host system 250. For example, some or all of the functionsassociated with the message management server 272 may be integrated withthe message server 268, or some other server in the host system 250.Alternatively, the host system 250 may comprise multiple messagemanagement servers 272, particularly in variant embodiments where alarge number of mobile devices need to be supported.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the IT policy server 286 can providethe IT policy editor 280, the IT user property editor 282 and the datastore 284. In some cases, the IT policy server 286 can also provide thedevice manager module 278. The processor 288 of the IT policy server 286can be used to perform the various steps of a method for providing ITpolicy data that is customizable on a per-user basis. The processor 288can execute the editors 280 and 282. In some cases, the functionality ofthe editors 280 and 282 can be provided by a single editor. In somecases, the memory unit 292 can provide the data store 284.

The device manager module 278 provides an IT administrator with agraphical user interface with which the IT administrator interacts toconfigure various settings for the mobile devices 100. As mentioned, theIT administrator can use IT policy rules to define behaviors of certainapplications on the mobile device 100 that are permitted such as phone,web browser or Instant Messenger use. The IT policy rules can also beused to set specific values for configuration settings that anorganization requires on the mobile devices 100 such as auto signaturetext, WLAN/VoIP/VPN configuration, security requirements (e.g.encryption algorithms, password rules, etc.), specifying themes orapplications that are allowed to run on the mobile device 100, and thelike.

As has been discussed and as is illustrated in FIGS. 4-8, the user maynavigate a graphical interface in order to access information that isstored on the device. One skilled in the art will also appreciate thatthe data displayed may not be located on the wireless electronic mobile.FIG. 9 illustrates how information may be accessed from the device overa wireless or wired data connection on a local or public network 224.One skilled in the art will appreciate that the filter results 601 ofthe message list 600 may include message items accessed through a remotefilter of the message data store 269.

A method of filtering a data list in response to a pause in navigationis illustrated in FIG. 10. At step 710, a list of data entries isdisplayed on a display device of a mobile device. At step 720, an inputis received from an input device or an auxiliary input device. At step730, an item is highlighted in response to the input received in step720. At step 740, a pause in navigation is received. At step 750, aprocessor of the mobile device determines if the pause in navigation isan ambiguous input or unambiguous input. A pause in navigation isambiguous if there are multiple fields upon which the processor isconfigured to filter data items. When the pause in navigation isambiguous, at step 760 a menu is displayed with a list of the availabledata item filters. At step 770, and input is received from an inputdevice, allowing for disambiguation of the pause in navigation. If thepause in navigation is unambiguous or when the ambiguous pause innavigation is clarified as a result of the input received at step 770,step 780 is performed in which the processor filters the data entries.At step 790, the list of filtered data entries is displayed.

In an aspect, there is provided herein a method of filtering dataentries on a mobile device, wherein each of said data entries containsfields and said fields contain values, and wherein said mobile deviceaccepts input from an auxiliary input device, the method including:displaying a list of said data entries on a display device of the mobiledevice; receiving at said auxiliary input device an indication of one ofthe data entries of said list; highlighting the data entry in responseto said indication; after said highlighting, receiving at said auxiliaryinput device a pause of said indication; executing a filter for dataentries that match the value of a field of the highlighted data entry;and displaying results of the filter on the display device. In anotheraspect of the method, the method may further include: displaying a menuon the display device in response to said pause of said indication,wherein said menu comprises at least one menu item, wherein said menuitems comprise a command to filter said list based upon a value of afield of the highlighted data entry; and receiving an indication toactivate one of the menu items; wherein for said executing of saidfilter for data entries that match the value of a field of thehighlighted data entry, said field is determined by the menu itemactivated. In another aspect of the method, said data entries representelectronic messages. In another aspect of the method, said highlighteddata entry represents an electronic message and said executed filter isa filter for data entries that match the value of the sender field ofsaid highlighted electronic message. In another aspect of the method,said highlighted data entry represents an electronic message and saidexecuted filter is a filter for data entries that match the value of thesubject field of said highlighted electronic message. In another aspectof the method, the data entries represent media files. In another aspectof the method, said highlighted data entry represents a media file andsaid executed filter is a filter for data entries that match the valueof the artist field of said highlighted data entry representing a mediafile. In another aspect of the method, the data entries representcontacts. In still another aspect of the method, said highlighted dataentry represents a contact and said executed filter is a filter for dataentries that match the value of the company name filed of saidhighlighted data entry that represents a contact.

In another aspect, there is provided herein a mobile device including:an auxiliary input device; a display device; and a processor,cooperating with said display device and said auxiliary input device, toperform a method of filtering data entries, wherein each of said dataentries contains fields and said fields contain values, the methodcomprising displaying a list of said data entries on the display device;receiving at said auxiliary input device an indication of one of thedata entries of said list; highlighting the data entry in response tosaid indication; after said highlighting, receiving at said auxiliaryinput device a pause of said indication; executing a filter for dataentries that match the value of a field of the highlighted data entry;and displaying results of the filter on the display device. In anotheraspect of the mobile device, the processor cooperating with said displaydevice and said auxiliary input device may further perform: displaying amenu on the display device in response to said pause of said indication,wherein said menu comprises at least one menu item, wherein said menuitems comprise a command to filter said list based upon a value of afield of the highlighted data entry; and receiving an indication toactivate one of the menu items; wherein for said executing of saidfilter for data entries that match the value of a field of thehighlighted data entry, said field is determined by the menu itemactivated. In another aspect of the mobile device, said data entriesrepresent electronic messages. In another aspect of the mobile device,said highlighted data entry represents an electronic message and saidexecuted filter is a filter for data entries that match the value of thesender field of said highlighted electronic message. In another aspectof the mobile device, said highlighted data entry represents anelectronic message and said executed filter is a filter for data entriesthat match the value of the subject field of said highlighted electronicmessage. In another aspect of the mobile device, the data entriesrepresent media files. In another aspect of the mobile device, saidhighlighted data entry represents a media file and said executed filteris a filter for data entries that match the value of the artist field ofsaid highlighted data entry representing a media file. In another aspectof the mobile device, the data entries represent contacts. In stillanother aspect of the mobile device, said highlighted data entryrepresents a contact and said executed filter is a filter for dataentries that match the value of the company name filed of saidhighlighted data entry that represents a contact.

In still another aspect, there is provided herein a physicalcomputer-readable storage medium on which a plurality of executableinstructions is stored for execution by a processor of a mobile deviceto cause the mobile device to perform a method of filtering data entrieson the mobile device, wherein each of said data entries contains fieldsand said fields contain values, and wherein said mobile device acceptsinput from an auxiliary input device, the method including: displaying alist of said data entries on a display device of the mobile device;receiving at said auxiliary input device an indication of one of thedata entries of said list; highlighting the data entry in response tosaid indication; after said highlighting, receiving at said auxiliaryinput device a pause of said indication; executing a filter for dataentries that match the value of a field of the highlighted data entry;and displaying results of the filter on the display device. In anotheraspect, the physical computer-readable storage medium may further storethe plurality of executable instructions to perform the steps:displaying a menu on the display device in response to said pause ofsaid indication, wherein said menu comprises at least one menu item,wherein said menu items comprise a command to filter said list basedupon a value of a field of the highlighted data entry; and receiving anindication to activate one of the menu items; wherein for said executingof said filter for data entries that match the value of a field of thehighlighted data entry, said field is determined by the menu itemactivated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of filtering data entries on a mobiledevice, wherein each of said data entries contains fields and saidfields contain values, and wherein said mobile device accepts input froman auxiliary input device, the method comprising: displaying a list ofsaid data entries on a display device of the mobile device; receiving atsaid auxiliary input device an indication of one of the data entries ofsaid list; highlighting the data entry in response to said indication;after said highlighting, receiving at said auxiliary input device apause of said indication; in response to said pause of said indication,said mobile device executing a filter without further user interactionwhen said pause of said indication is unambiguous, the filter for dataentries that match the value of a field of the highlighted data entry;displaying a menu on the display device in response to said pause ofsaid indication when said pause of said indication is ambiguous, whereinsaid menu comprises a menu item, wherein the menu item comprises acommand to filter said list based upon a value of a field of thehighlighted data entry, and receiving an indication to activate the menuitem, wherein for said executing of said filter for data entries thatmatch the value of a field of the highlighted data entry, said field isdetermined by the menu item that is activated; and displaying results ofthe filter on the display device.
 2. A method of claim 1, wherein saiddata entries represent electronic messages.
 3. A method of claim 2,wherein said highlighted data entry represents an electronic message andsaid executed filter is a filter for data entries that match the valueof a sender field of said highlighted electronic message.
 4. A method ofclaim 2, wherein said highlighted data entry represents an electronicmessage and said executed filter is a filter for data entries that matchthe value of a subject field of said highlighted electronic message. 5.A method of claim 1, wherein the data entries represent media files. 6.A method of claim 5, wherein said highlighted data entry represents amedia file and said executed filter is a filter for data entries thatmatch the value of an artist field of said highlighted data entryrepresenting a media file.
 7. A method of claim 1, wherein the dataentries represent contacts.
 8. A method of claim 7, wherein saidhighlighted data entry represents a contact and said executed filter isa filter for data entries that match the value of a company name filedof said highlighted data entry that represents a contact.
 9. A mobiledevice comprising: an auxiliary input device; a display device; and aprocessor, cooperating with said display device and said auxiliary inputdevice, to perform a method of filtering data entries, wherein each ofsaid data entries contains fields and said fields contain values, theprocessor configured for: displaying a list of said data entries on thedisplay device; receiving at said auxiliary input device an indicationof one of the data entries of said list; highlighting the data entry inresponse to said indication; after said highlighting, receiving at saidauxiliary input device a pause of said indication; in response to saidpause of said indication and without further user interaction when saidpause of said indication is unambiguous, executing a filter for dataentries that match the value of a field of the highlighted data entry;displaying a menu on the display device in response to said pause ofsaid indication when said pause of said indication is ambiguous, whereinsaid menu comprises a menu item, wherein the menu item comprises acommand to filter said list based upon a value of a field of thehighlighted data entry, and receiving an indication to activate the menuitem, wherein for said executing of said filter for data entries thatmatch the value of a field of the highlighted data entry, said field isdetermined by the menu item that is activated; and displaying results ofthe filter on the display device.
 10. A mobile device of claim 9,wherein said data entries represent electronic messages.
 11. A mobiledevice of claim 10, wherein said highlighted data entry represents anelectronic message and said executed filter is a filter for data entriesthat match the value of a sender field of said highlighted electronicmessage.
 12. A mobile device of claim 10, wherein said highlighted dataentry represents an electronic message and said executed filter is afilter for data entries that match the value of a subject field of saidhighlighted electronic message.
 13. A mobile device of claim 9, whereinthe data entries represent media files.
 14. A mobile device of claim 13,wherein said highlighted data entry represents a media file and saidexecuted filter is a filter for data entries that match the value of anartist field of said highlighted data entry representing a media file.15. A mobile device of claim 9, wherein the data entries representcontacts.
 16. A mobile device of claim 15, wherein said highlighted dataentry represents a contact and said executed filter is a filter for dataentries that match the value of a company name filed of said highlighteddata entry that represents a contact.
 17. A physical computer-readablestorage medium on which a plurality of executable instructions is storedfor execution by a processor of a mobile device to cause the mobiledevice to perform a method of filtering data entries on the mobiledevice, wherein each of said data entries contains fields and saidfields contain values, and wherein said mobile device accepts input froman auxiliary input device, the method comprising: displaying a list ofsaid data entries on a display device of the mobile device; receiving atsaid auxiliary input device an indication of one of the data entries ofsaid list; highlighting the data entry in response to said indication;after said highlighting, receiving at said auxiliary input device apause of said indication; in response to said pause of said indicationand without further user interaction when said pause of said indicationis unambiguous, executing a filter for data entries that match the valueof a field of the highlighted data entry; displaying a menu on thedisplay device in response to said pause of said indication when saidpause of said indication is ambiguous, wherein said menu comprises amenu item, wherein the menu item comprises a command to filter said listbased upon a value of a field of the highlighted data entry, andreceiving an indication to activate the menu item, wherein for saidexecuting of said filter for data entries that match the value of afield of the highlighted data entry, said field is determined by themenu item that is activated; and displaying results of the filter on thedisplay device.